The latest weeks he has crushed most of them, no one has been really close beating him. GAsquet gave him a match, but I wouldn't call him clay court specialist. Who do you think can beat Nadal?

I think that someone who can hit the ball hard is the only one who can beat NAdal on clay. I don't think any of the clay court players hit hard enought, Moya and Guga maybe but they are definetly out of form this season.

I think Federer and Safin are the only ones who could beat NAdal in RG.

roisin

04-22-2005, 08:04 PM

Get JC against him again and there'll be a different outcome ;)

Chloe le Bopper

04-22-2005, 08:55 PM

Get JC against him again and there'll be a different outcome ;)
One would sincerely hope so, seeing as last time he won ... was it three games? Surely if they meet in the Barca finals it will be a different story, even if JCF still loses.

maratski

04-22-2005, 08:58 PM

Roddick of course! His clay titles make him a specialist on the surface right?

Can't answer the question since the likes of Nalbandian, Coria, Ferrero, Safin and Gaudio aren't in their best form yet.

Federerhingis

04-22-2005, 08:58 PM

One would sincerely hope so, seeing as last time he won ... was it three games? Surely if they meet in the Barca finals it will be a different story, even if JCF still loses.

Absolutely, I do hope JC continues finding his best form and start challenging for the big clay titles and big titles in general again. Of course not when facing Federer on finals, if this happens to be the case.

Angel21

04-22-2005, 09:01 PM

Igor actually beat him in Valencia in 2 sets... does that count? :D

roisin

04-22-2005, 09:02 PM

One would sincerely hope so, seeing as last time he won ... was it three games? Surely if they meet in the Barca finals it will be a different story, even if JCF still loses.
hence the reason i said there'd be a different outcome ;)

Julio1974

04-22-2005, 09:05 PM

The latest weeks he has crushed most of them, no one has been really close beating him. GAsquet gave him a match, but I wouldn't call him clay court specialist. Who do you think can beat Nadal?

I think that someone who can hit the ball hard is the only one who can beat NAdal on clay. I don't think any of the clay court players hit hard enought, Moya and Guga maybe but they are definetly out of form this season.

I think Federer and Safin are the only ones who could beat NAdal in RG.

I think Coria in a better form can beat him. Although I think Coria will lose more than he will win against Nadal.
Gasquet was extremely close. He must learn to volley, though.
Federer can beat him too.
And stop counting.

Chloe le Bopper

04-22-2005, 09:05 PM

Igor actually beat him in Valencia in 2 sets... does that count? :D
Yes, but a lot of people will probably make excuses for Nadal.

mishar

04-22-2005, 09:12 PM

Perhaps it's too early to say this, but my impression is that it is more about Nadal right now. If he plays to his best, he is the best player at this moment on clay. But certainly Federer, Gaudio, Coria, Ferrero all can beat him. I fear Nadal might be peaking too early. He has never played Roland Garros before and he might succumb to the pressure of being the favorite on his first try. Or maybe he won't, in which case he'll be a deserving champion.

Clara Bow

04-22-2005, 09:37 PM

He has never played Roland Garros before and he might succumb to the pressure of being the favorite on his first try. Or maybe he won't, in which case he'll be a deserving champion.

I also feel that there is too much pressure on Nadal. He’s a kid of 18 who has never played at RG and yet he is being touted as the favorite in some circles. I think that these heady expectations are a disservice to Nadal. I have the feeling that if he doesn’t win RG there will be the chorus of people unfairly calling him “overrated” while the fact that he has really become a major force on the tour and his accomplishments of the spring will be dismissed. He seems like such a nice and well grounded kid in interviews that I do feel a bit sorry for him.

Luckily, Nadal himself doesn’t consider himself the favorite and has repeatedly said so. Maybe that will help alleviate some of the pressure put on him.

As for who can beat him- who knows? If Coria or Ferrero find their true form at RG I would not be surprised to see either of them win it. Same with Gaudio. Federer may be really determined to get the monkey of not winning RG off of his back (though at his age it is certainly not time to panic about not winning). Safin as always is a crap shot- which Marat will show up? And there could be a surprise- Agassi, Gasquet, etc. That’s not to say that I don’t think Nadal won’t be able to win RG if he is not worn out and brings his A-game. But that is hard to do with best of 5-sets over 2 weeks if you’ve had the type of schedule that Rafael has. Of course, if Rafael does win, I will be very pleased and concur that he will be a deserving champion.

rue

04-22-2005, 09:38 PM

I think that Nadal is beatable, but it surprises me the way he has just been beating up on players the last few months. He has handed quite a number of bagels out. Like he said, he is beatable and no one is unbeatable even Federer. They are only human beings and not machines. I just hope that he can carry this up till the French Open. I think that he can do it, look at how Federer was just so good the whole of last year.

Deivid23

04-22-2005, 10:05 PM

Yes, but a lot of people will probably make excuses for Nadal.

Yes, Nadal tanked ;)

NYCtennisfan

04-23-2005, 12:43 AM

Greg Rusedski.

:)

alfonsojose

04-23-2005, 01:52 AM

JuJu and The Hand :wavey:

Scotso

04-23-2005, 02:24 AM

lol @ the hand.

In a word, none.

Action Jackson

04-23-2005, 07:20 AM

Everyone is beatable.

oz_boz

04-23-2005, 08:29 AM

Anyone can beat Nadal on clay, if he is not at his best. An in-form Nadal is harder, but there are still many who could do the job: Guga, Ferrero, Moya, Coria, Gaudio, Gonzalez, Nalbandian, Federer, Calleri, Canas...

Action Jackson

04-23-2005, 08:32 AM

The latest weeks he has crushed most of them, no one has been really close beating him. GAsquet gave him a match, but I wouldn't call him clay court specialist. Who do you think can beat Nadal?

I think that someone who can hit the ball hard is the only one who can beat NAdal on clay. I don't think any of the clay court players hit hard enought, Moya and Guga maybe but they are definetly out of form this season.

I think Federer and Safin are the only ones who could beat NAdal in RG.

Congratulations for the melodramatic. I have to ask is Nadal already better than Thomas Muster?

syd

04-23-2005, 08:33 AM

Ferrero in top form, of course

NATAS81

04-23-2005, 09:01 AM

I would have to say Federer, Coria.

In a couple of years you can add Gasquet and Monfils to that list.

Gaudio is just mentally pumbled against Rafa every time they square off.

But overall, I think realistically nobody besides Federer can beat Nadal, let alone take the vibrant Spaniard to a deciding set.

Action Jackson

04-23-2005, 09:03 AM

Gaudio is just mentally pumbled against Rafa every time they square off.

Hehehehe, after 1 match out of 4 that he has lost, he is mentally beaten down. If you said that about Rios I could agree.

makro120

04-23-2005, 01:52 PM

I have to ask is Nadal already better than Thomas Muster?

You can't tell when he is only 18 years old, who knows what he will become? I feel like Nadal will have some great years when he is young and his career will go downhill in his early 20s or something. I think Nadal looks mature and he has so much fighting spirit, he will not choke in RG, at his age he is more mature than Coria.

Someone must really go out there and beat him, because NAdal will be playing his best game in RG. Federer may be the one to do it, but then I am biased. But so far they have never faced each other on clay so who knows?

Chloe le Bopper

04-23-2005, 03:57 PM

I always thought it would be sort of funny if Nadal could push Fed around so much on hardcourts and then go on to get licked by him on clay.

Sjengster

04-23-2005, 04:20 PM

Funny but not remotely likely (unless Nadal has played one too many tournaments on clay and is exhausted by the time they meet). I mean to say, all the elements in Nadal's game that made the Miami match so tough for Federer would only be magnified on clay, ie the heavy topspin and the retrieving abilities.

Deivid23

04-23-2005, 04:27 PM

Funny but not remotely likely (unless Nadal has played one too many tournaments on clay and is exhausted by the time they meet). I mean to say, all the elements in Nadal's game that made the Miami match so tough for Federer would only be magnified on clay, ie the heavy topspin and the retrieving abilities.

Amen

Rogiman

04-23-2005, 04:32 PM

Amen
You should know Sjengster feels disgusted by that at least as much as I do, he's just not as radical by his nature.

tennischick

04-23-2005, 04:34 PM

Santoro, with fresh legs ;)

Billabong

04-23-2005, 04:38 PM

Becca, I'm interested to know who you're rooting for in the Barcelona final;)?
I hope you're rooting for JC:D!!!! He needs this victory BADLY:bounce:! GO JC:D!!

misyou25

04-23-2005, 04:40 PM

marat,juancho, robredo...

misyou25

04-23-2005, 04:41 PM

gasquet will beat him next time

ClaycourtaZzZz.

04-23-2005, 06:02 PM

Let's wait till Roma,Hamburg and RG!
I don't think he can challange Roger,Guillermo,Gonzo, may Gaston and Marat!
Now only 4 weeks to go!:):):):) or?

Deivid23

04-23-2005, 06:17 PM

You should know Sjengster feels disgusted by that at least as much as I do, he's just not as radical by his nature.

That doesn´t have to do with a nice analysis. ;)

misyou25

04-23-2005, 06:27 PM

right federer express

Chloe le Bopper

04-23-2005, 07:27 PM

Becca, I'm interested to know who you're rooting for in the Barcelona final;)?
I hope you're rooting for JC:D!!!! He needs this victory BADLY:bounce:! GO JC:D!!

I don't really care who wins, but if you're going to pull my arm... I guess JCF. He does need it more. And Nadal losing a final will take some of the pressure off. I mean, the pressure will be ridiculous either way, but the fewer long winning streaks he has going into RG, the better :p

That, and I want JCF seeded at RG too :cool:

But if Nadal wins easily, I don't mind that either. :shrug:

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 06:12 AM

You can't tell when he is only 18 years old, who knows what he will become? I feel like Nadal will have some great years when he is young and his career will go downhill in his early 20s or something. I think Nadal looks mature and he has so much fighting spirit, he will not choke in RG, at his age he is more mature than Coria.

I didn't actually mean for the question to be answered that literally. The thing is the Nadal hype machine is already too much, saying that he is already the favourite for an event he has never played at. With the subject title it pretty much says the rest of the field are jokers and that he can't be beaten.

Someone must really go out there and beat him, because NAdal will be playing his best game in RG. Federer may be the one to do it, but then I am biased. But so far they have never faced each other on clay so who knows?

Yes, you are biased, but not that extreme in this case. It'll be that much harder for Federer as Nadal's strengths on the surface when playing well are magnified and could easily break down Federer on his surface.

willie

04-24-2005, 06:17 AM

definetly in their next match coria will beat him, this will problably be in rome or hamburg.

Clara Bow

04-24-2005, 08:47 AM

I didn't actually mean for the question to be answered that literally. The thing is the Nadal hype machine is already too much, saying that he is already the favourite for an event he has never played at. With the subject title it pretty much says the rest of the field are jokers and that he can't be beaten.

Frankly- I'm sick of the backlash...the people who say Nadal is overated-I have already seen really mean anti-Nadal trolls.

He's a good kid who plays well, and just because some of us (myself included) have become fans through this exposure we are knee-jerkly refered to as bandwagoners. In this forum it is quite popular to always charactirize Rafa's new fans and people who like his play as bandwagon material. And I'm kind if tired of this demeaning attituede towards Nadal fans.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 08:50 AM

Frankly- I'm sick of the backlash...the people who say Nadal is overated-I have already seen really mean anti-Nadal trolls.

Me toooooo!

For the record, I don't think that I'm "better" than anybody else because I happen to have been following him a little longer. One could even make fun of me for following somebody before seeing them play, I guess ;)

There are a couple Rafa trolls, but you aren't one of them ;) And frankly, with the hate mongering anti-Rafa folk, he deserves a troll or two ;)

I think that GWH is just tired of some of the err.... predictions and perhaps a tad bit premature comments being made of him. But a lot of those aren't even coming from the Rafa fans :p

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 08:55 AM

Frankly- I'm sick of the backlash...the people who say Nadal is overated-I have already seen really mean anti-Nadal trolls.

He's a good kid who plays well, and just because some of us (myself included) have become fans because we have gotten more exposure to his play should not be used to continually and snidely charactirize Rafa's new fans and his play as bandwagon material.

When have I said he is overrated? If I thought he was overrated I would say so by now and yes, the ones who have said that for some part have been quietened down, but the Nadal is overrated campaign will come around again after the clay season is finished.

I am aware of his game and the like, but when it seems like that he has come down in the last shower then hype is going to be a result of this, whether people like it or not.

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 08:58 AM

I think that GWH is just tired of some of the err.... predictions and perhaps a tad bit premature comments being made of him. But a lot of those aren't even coming from the Rafa fans :p

That is an accurate statement and yes the predictions are over the top.

It's like flavour or fad of the month time and the difference it's not the Federer fawners at the moment, then again guys like Sjengster, Rogiman, Federer express and myself are haters because we like Federer, but don't go on with all the hooplah.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:01 AM

That is an accurate statement and yes the predictions are over the top.

It's like flavour or fad of the month time and the difference it's not the Federer fawners at the moment, then again guys like Sjengster, Rogiman, Federer express and myself are haters because we like Federer, but don't go on with all the hooplah.
Um, Rogiman is a hater because he goes into scoring threads and says things like "TAKE THE PRICK OUT :fiery: :fiery:" then mysteriously dissapears when Rafa wins. In fact, RM has said the most vile, hateful things about Rafa that I've seen anywhere. As long as the rest of you aren't doing that, I'm not sure that "hater" is the word that comes to mind.

bad gambler

04-24-2005, 09:03 AM

Um, Rogiman is a hater because he goes into scoring threads and says things like "TAKE THE PRICK OUT :fiery: :fiery:" then mysteriously dissapears when Rafa wins. In fact, RM has said the most vile, hateful things about Rafa that I've seen anywhere. As long as the rest of you aren't doing that, I'm not sure that "hater" is the word that comes to mind.

Um, Rogiman is a hater because he goes into scoring threads and says things like "TAKE THE PRICK OUT :fiery: :fiery:" then mysteriously dissapears when Rafa wins. In fact, RM has said the most vile, hateful things about Rafa that I've seen anywhere. As long as the rest of you aren't doing that, I'm not sure that "hater" is the word that comes to mind.

I actually meant in reference to the Federer love aspect from all us who happen to like Federer (flavour of the month) and not to Nadal, though I do know he is not a Nadal lover.

I've got my own views on him, but I just don't go for all these predictions, hence the Muster comments.

Come on you never say that about my appearances in the scoring threads.

bad gambler

04-24-2005, 09:06 AM

Come on you never say that about my appearances in the scoring threads.

but with you i already know what to expect :lol:

you and your clay court propaganda!

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:07 AM

pfff and you call yourself a rafa fan :)
I got up for MC, that was a bigger event ;) And I was up when he won his first title. And when he scored his wins over Costa and Moya in 2003. I deserve a break ;)

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:10 AM

but with you i already know what to expect :lol:

you and your clay court propaganda!

Come on that's not true. :)

It's needed to stir some of the gamblers up.

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:11 AM

I got up for MC, that was a bigger event ;) And I was up when he won his first title. And when he scored his wins over Costa and Moya in 2003. I deserve a break ;)

Not good enough http://apolyton.net/forums/images/smilies/nono.gif

Clara Bow

04-24-2005, 09:12 AM

When have I said he is overrated?

I never said that you said that he was overrated. :) GW- I enjoy your comment on this board and have since I've been viewing it. But If I may say so GW- since I do respect what you put on these board I do get a little frustrated because I do think that you tend to dismisss new fans of Rafa as bandwagoners, while at the same time they may be people such as myself in the past 10 months who have just become new fans not to join a bandwagon, but because we have finally gotten exposure to his play and happen to enjoy it.

Do I think that Rafa will win the FO in 2005 - not likely (but likely will in the next few years.. Do I like to watch him play? Yes. Is he a new favorite of mine? Yes.

I'll try to remember next time I'm doing my volunteer work at the tri-county suicide hotline (as I was until around 40 minutes ago) that posting any opinions about tennis players makes one a prat.

Good to know.
He was talking about Nicole Pratt, the Aussie tennis player. You can be forgiven for not realizing this, since.... who does that? Only Azza ;)

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:23 AM

I never said that you said that he was overrated. :) GW- I enjoy your comment on this board and have since I've been viewing it. But If I may say so GW- since I do respect what you put on these board I do get a little frustrated because I do think that you tend to dismisss new fans of Rafa as bandwagoners, while at the same time they may be people such as myself in the past 10 months who have just become new fans not to join a bandwagon, but because we have finally gotten exposure to his play and happen to enjoy it.

The problem is there are a lot of those people around I mean for example if Marcos Baghdatis really takes off, watch them get on that bandwagon quick smart. It happens and at this moment it's Nadal, then again you find out what they are really like when a player has really bad form (Ferrero until recently) or has long-term injuries.

That is a generic answer and not a specific one.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:24 AM

I would just like to state for future reference that i hopped on the Marcos bandwagon after seeing him in the USO qualies.

:banana:

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:25 AM

I would just like to state for future reference that i hopped on the Marcos bandwagon after seeing him in the USO qualies.

:banana:

Earlier than most I must say.

richard gasquet

04-24-2005, 09:29 AM

gasquet will beat him next time

Amen. ;)

Deivid23

04-24-2005, 09:34 AM

Amen. ;)

Gasquet, Monfils, Mathieu, and Grosjean will probably win Nadal next time they face him.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:35 AM

Gasquet, Monfils, Mathieu, and Grosjean will probably win Nadal next time they face him.
My grandma will probably beat Nadal next time too.

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:35 AM

Gasquet, Monfils, Mathieu, and Grosjean will probably win Nadal next time they face him.

Come on you forgot Simon, De Chaunac, Coutelot, Haehnel as well.

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:36 AM

My grandma will probably beat Nadal next time too.

Your grandma will rip Nadal a new one as clear as water.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:37 AM

Come on you forgot Simon, De Chaunac, Coutelot, Haehnel as well.
And Ascione.

Clara Bow

04-24-2005, 09:37 AM

Chloe and BG thanks for the clarification. Do you ever have those moments where you feel like a jackass? I just did with that mis-interpretation. (I've done that once before with tangy as well....sigh) Sorry too to azza.

GW- I can understand your worries. But I must say that at the same time as someone who is from the US and the last time there has been any sort of media rush for any young player it was for Andy (who I like but he's a cute American so no big surprise). Therefore - I like to see any rush of news for any non-US male player.

I do worry that it will be like a balloon, a lot of air and then a big let-down after the first big not-win. But maybe not. Seriously, this young fellow has gotten more US press for a non-American non-GS winner since I was a toddler. And I thinking that's kind of good.

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:40 AM

Do you ever have those moments where you feel like a jackass?

ALL the time.

... Seriously, this young fellow has gotten more US press for a non-American non-GS winner since I was a toddler. And I thinking that's kind of good.

Yeah, what is with that? I would say that it's his personality on court combined with his precociousness... but Hewitt had both of those elements too. Hewitt didn't have a professional sportsman in the family as far as I know, but since when does the American press care enough about football for that to matter? :p

bad gambler

04-24-2005, 09:44 AM

Yeah, what is with that? I would say that it's his personality on court combined with his precociousness... but Hewitt had both of those elements too. Hewitt didn't have a professional sportsman in the family as far as I know, but since when does the American press care enough about football for that to matter? :p

actually both of hewitt's parents were professional sports people

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 09:45 AM

actually both of hewitt's parents were professional sports people
Hm. I guess this just lends itself to the theory that Hewitt is totally unlikable, hence his getting less US press.

Oh, I kid!

What did his parents do? I'm totally blanking. Probably because I tend to think of him and Kim as the same person. Probably because they look like fraternal twins. So I assumed that my impression of him having sporting connections were through her ;)

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:48 AM

GW- I can understand your worries. But I must say that at the same time as someone who is from the US and the last time there has been any sort of media rush for any young player it was for Andy (who I like but he's a cute American so no big surprise). Therefore - I like to see any rush of news for any non-US male player.

Yes, it's all for the right reasons. Seriously I don't really don't care too much about the American media, they aren't there to be semi-objective or informative that's not the way they are, but that's all media to an extent.

I am not sure you do understand where I am coming from, then again I was fortunate to find out about players I liked the vast majority of time without the help of the media writing nice sugercoat articles about a particular player or TV medium, it's not better, it's just different.

I do worry that it will be like a balloon, a lot of air and then a big let-down after the first big not-win. But maybe not. Seriously, this young fellow has gotten more US press for a non-American non-GS winner since I was a toddler. And I thinking that's kind of good.

I forgot US press is what the makes the tennis world go around. They'll just go onto the next one.

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:49 AM

What did his parents do? I'm totally blanking. Probably because I tend to think of him and Kim as the same person. Probably because they look like fraternal twins. So I assumed that my impression of him having sporting connections were through her ;)

One of them was an Australian football player.

Leo Clijsters played for the Belgian World Cup team.

Clara Bow

04-24-2005, 09:53 AM

I forgot US press is what the makes the tennis world go around.

Sigh....I wasn't trying to imply that at all. I was just trying to say that as a fan of tennis who appreciates players from all countries, that, as a big sports fan, it is sometimes nice to see the US media appreciate a male player who is not from the 50 states. I love tennis and I wish it was more loved in my country. That is all.

I am not sure you do understand where I am coming from, then again I was fortunate to find out about players I liked the vast majority of time without the help of the media writing nice sugercoat articles about a particular player or TV medium, it's not better, it's just different

I become a fan from watching them play. Thankls to TTC I have been able to see Nadal play quite a bit in the past 9 months and I like what I see. I never decide on who I like based solely on articles, it is mostly based on play and interviews. And I have enjoyed what I have seen from Nadal from both.

bad gambler

04-24-2005, 09:56 AM

What did his parents do?

Dad was a professional AUstralian rules footballer, mum played netball

Action Jackson

04-24-2005, 09:57 AM

Sigh....I wasn't trying to imply that at all. I was just trying to say that as a fan of tennis who appreciates players from all countries, that, as a big sports fan, it is sometimes nice to see the US media appreciate a male player who is not from the 50 states. I love tennis and I wish it was more loved in my country. That is all.

You weren't implying that, but since media is in the business of spin and hype, then what is going on to an extent is their fault. The media are usually the biggest bandwagon jumpers actually.

It's hard to laud something when it's a commonsense approach, though I forgot what organisation we are dealing with.

I can't see what is so sensational about being passionate to the point of cursing the opponent :shrug:

It's like that all the time in european football, and everytime I watch a football game I can't believe the things I say... I bet it's the same with Australian-rules football, so you should know it's good fun :)

Anyway, I'm a tennis hooligan if you will, and those who either get offended or find it disrespectful can shove their hypocrisy up their asses and bite me! :mad:

Chloe le Bopper

04-24-2005, 02:57 PM

They're only hypocritical if they do those things themselves. Few people around here do :)

I can't see what is so sensational about being passionate to the point of cursing the opponent :shrug:

It's like that all the time in european football, and everytime I watch a football game I can't believe the things I say... I bet it's the same with Australian-rules football, so you should know it's good fun :)

Anyway, I'm a tennis hooligan if you will, and those who either get offended or find it disrespectful can shove their hypocrisy up their asses and bite me! :mad:

Rogiman you hooligan you! ;)

Rogiman

04-24-2005, 04:58 PM

Rogiman you hooligan you! ;)

You bet I am ;)

rue

04-24-2005, 05:48 PM

He basically has faced all the clay court specialists and beaten them convincingly. I am waiting for him to face Federer and see how that one turns out.

In_Disguise

04-24-2005, 06:02 PM

Lleyton Hewitt

ClaycourtaZzZz.

04-24-2005, 06:09 PM

only a non-claycourter! ROGER!!!!!

In_Disguise

04-24-2005, 06:17 PM

only a non-claycourter! ROGER!!!!!

and of course, Safin - the uncrowned king of tennis in my opinion

Skyward

04-24-2005, 06:30 PM

Karlovic will do it. http://sk8ting.fastbb.ru/img/sm108.gif

mandoura

04-24-2005, 06:40 PM

Karlovic will do it. http://sk8ting.fastbb.ru/img/sm108.gif

:haha: But you never know !!:D

Anyway, I just hope he stays healthy and fit until RG.

As he said in one of his interviews and I am paraphrasing:

Q: What are your plans for Roland Garros?

Nadal: My plans for RG is to get to Roland Garros.

azza

04-25-2005, 01:32 PM

Peter Luczak

nermo

04-25-2005, 07:39 PM

i think a non claycourt specialist can... :angel: FEDERER :angel:

and some clay court specialists if Nadal continues playing that hard...
he ll run out of energy soon... :retard: :retard:

COM OOON ...the guy needs some rest...

Chloe le Bopper

04-25-2005, 08:04 PM

Rest? You mean like this week, when he's not scheduled to play a tournament?

nermo

04-25-2005, 08:31 PM

Rest? You mean like this week, when he's not scheduled to play a tournament? originally posted by CHLOE

WONT he play this week??
i thought he ll go to BMW Open??not sure :confused: :confused:

and if not i think he ll join ROME and HAMBURg...if so ,i guess he ll be very exhausted for RG. :retard: :silly: :retard:
..and then who knows what results ll he make?? :scratch:

DONT U THNIK SO???

Chloe le Bopper

04-25-2005, 09:00 PM

He won't play this week. Then he plays Rome and Hamburg. Then he has another week off.

We'll see.

Daniel

04-27-2005, 12:13 AM

The latest weeks he has crushed most of them, no one has been really close beating him. GAsquet gave him a match, but I wouldn't call him clay court specialist. Who do you think can beat Nadal?

I think that someone who can hit the ball hard is the only one who can beat NAdal on clay. I don't think any of the clay court players hit hard enought, Moya and Guga maybe but they are definetly out of form this season.

I think Federer and Safin are the only ones who could beat NAdal in RG.

Federer :banana:

robinhood

04-27-2005, 02:09 AM

Can't wait to see Fed vs. Nadal on clay!

Paialii

04-27-2005, 03:30 AM

Am I the only one sensing a serious upset with Nadal?

I just get the feeling that the pressure to perform big at this year's French may be overwhelming. That and sometimes his game lacks in the biggest opportunities. Just an observation. I wish the guy all the luck in the world. :)

Chloe le Bopper

04-27-2005, 04:18 AM

That and sometimes his game lacks in the biggest opportunities.

Can you clarify what you mean by this? I don't want to disagree and have it not mean what I thought ;)

jole

04-27-2005, 04:19 AM

Two words: Oscar Hernandez.

WyveN

04-27-2005, 04:32 AM

Can't wait to see Fed vs. Nadal on clay!

any surface will do, even grass

Mimi

04-27-2005, 04:40 AM

:confused: sorry, who is Oscar
Two words: Oscar Hernandez.

Chloe le Bopper

04-27-2005, 04:41 AM

any surface will do, even grass
I can't imagine that it would be very exciting on grass.

WyveN

04-27-2005, 04:50 AM

I can't imagine that it would be very exciting on grass.

Why not?
No reason Nadal cant play well on grass, probably not well enough to beat Federer yet but apart from Roddick, Henman, Ancic and perhaps pim pim he would be the most interesting opponent for Federer at Wimbledon.

Chloe le Bopper

04-27-2005, 04:56 AM

Why not?
No reason Nadal cant play well on grass, probably not well enough to beat Federer yet but apart from Roddick, Henman, Ancic and perhaps pim pim he would be the most interesting opponent for Federer at Wimbledon.
I guess so. I was thinking necessarily that Nadal couldn't be good on grass... just that Fed would be SO good that it wouldn't matter.

Experimentee

04-27-2005, 05:09 AM

Gaudio has more chance than Federer or Safin. He did beat him on clay only a couple of months ago, very easily in the last two sets.

I think of all the players, Safin, because of his height, would seem to have the least trouble with the excessive topspin Nadal hits. We all know when Safin is on, he can beat anyone. I also think Federer learned something from his match with Nadal in Miami. Granted it wasn't clay, Federer still seemed to find the winning strategy. I think he could do the same on clay.

federer express

04-27-2005, 05:17 PM

on the right day....any of them!

joeb_uk

05-04-2005, 09:59 PM

I seriously think safin could beat him, although safin isnt even playing like a top 10 player atm! On form i feel he would be able to punch through nadal, in the same way i feel a federer could too! It would be very interesting to see federer or safin meet him on clay!

Both coria and ferrero are out of form, i feel both of them would hand nadal a hiding (when playing at the top of their game).

World Beater

05-05-2005, 02:28 AM

No...i think nadal's defense on clay may be the deciding factor against safin. Its harder for safin to blow guys off the court who are that fast on the surface.

Chloe le Bopper

05-05-2005, 02:31 AM

Nadal would only win if Safin wasn't trying. Which, lucky for the ATP, he only bothers 4 times a year.

Aguante_el_Gato

05-05-2005, 02:37 AM

Coria, Safin, Federer (#), Nalbandian (#), Ferrero, Gaudio, Puerta, Gonzalez, Andreev or Cañas ... any of them on a good day (I predict a good day for Cañas tomorrow ;) )
Kuerten, Moya or Massu after recovering their shapes and having a good day

ps: the kid is Good not GOD

(#) not exactly "clay courters" but I think they could beat him on clay

jasmine(usa)

05-05-2005, 05:14 AM

Gaudio can....when he's on his game. He just did a few monthes ago. He can do it again.;)

Chloe le Bopper

05-05-2005, 05:39 AM

Anybody can beat Nadal when they are on their game.

Seleshfan

05-05-2005, 05:42 AM

Anybody can beat Nadal when they are on their game.

Anybody? :) What about Justin Gimelstob?

Chloe le Bopper

05-05-2005, 06:52 AM

Especially Justin Gimelstob!

joeb_uk

05-05-2005, 05:15 PM

No...i think nadal's defense on clay may be the deciding factor against safin. Its harder for safin to blow guys off the court who are that fast on the surface.
is he that fast though? i mean he certainly isnt as fast as coria, canas around the court. Is he even faster than fed?

Chloe le Bopper

05-05-2005, 08:27 PM

He's pretty damn fast. He chased down pretty much everythign Coria dropped on him in the MC final, until Coria ran out of ideas.

Dirk

05-05-2005, 08:42 PM

Coria got tired from all wet conditions he said. Had it been faster I am sure Coria would have won. Since you are a Coria fan you had no choice but to agree. :p

Chloe le Bopper

05-05-2005, 09:04 PM

Had it been faster I'm not sure that Coria would have won. However, he probably woudln't have been spanked the first couple of sets.

Neely

05-05-2005, 09:08 PM

Which clay court specialist can beat Nadal?

> Looks like it will not be Canas this week

DanEd

05-05-2005, 09:22 PM

Gaudio if can play like today against ferrer ,That was a awesome display of clay court tennis.

Raquel

05-05-2005, 09:35 PM

Which clay court specialist can beat Nadal?

> Looks like it will not be Canas this week
You're right Neely. Nadal is just in total control here and he is making Canas look quite ordinary. I think Coria is the only person capable of stopping him winning Rome if he continues this form (and Coria would have to play very well).

Deboogle!.

05-05-2005, 09:37 PM

the way Nadal is playing right now.... he's gonna have to have an off day to lose this clay season. or someone's gonna have to play out of his mind to beat him.

ca1houn

05-05-2005, 09:40 PM

after watching the Canas match I don't think the player is on the tour yet, that can challenge Nadal on clay, your can't get the ball past him and even when your in a winning position he can topspin it deep as to not let you capitalize on the point

Neely

05-05-2005, 09:43 PM

In this match, I would think even Coria couldn't have done much about that.

:secret: But secretly I'm still hoping that Coria is gonna win in Rome as Nadal has already beaten him in Monte Carlo(s)

Jorge

05-05-2005, 09:55 PM

Björn Borg :bigclap:

:D seriously I dunno :scratch: perhaps Roger (although he is not considered a "clay court specialist")

vincayou

05-05-2005, 10:10 PM

Radek Stepanek is gonna thrash him.
Mark my words.

Wait... don't mark them.

User id 7816

05-05-2005, 10:20 PM

its hopeless :sobbing:

i think he'll have to be reealy tired to give them a chance now, and he probably woulnt be that untill the RG final...:sobbing:

Deivid23

05-05-2005, 10:22 PM

Nadal played today against Cañas one of the best matches I´ve ever seen from him, even probably this was the best one.

ugotlobbed

05-05-2005, 10:37 PM

carlos moya....he taught the kid.....he cna break the kid

MariaV

05-05-2005, 10:57 PM

Nadal played today against Cañas one of the best matches I´ve ever seen from him, even probably this was the best one.

Right, it was AWESOME display by Rafa today. Dunno if he can last 7 5setters at RG but that was simply awesome today. Very hard to stop him when he's on. At RG anything can happen of course but if he'll play like this it will be very hard to take him down. Plus he's riding on confidence at the moment.

mandoura

05-06-2005, 12:06 AM

IMHO, right now, no one. :)

nermo

05-06-2005, 12:53 AM

Dont know..but i guess on a Good nice day, Coria can..i mean he s fast, he has got good ideas..but as i always say..i ll never predict Coria results again..

and those wet conditions that coria spoke about , ithink they were only excuses,i mean by then he wasnot in 100 %ready..(may be he still isnt) but at that time, he definitely wasnot in a condition to allow him to win Against The excited Nadal..

NYCtennisfan

05-06-2005, 03:32 AM

Right, it was AWESOME display by Rafa today. Dunno if he can last 7 5setters at RG but that was simply awesome today.

Rafa won't have to play 5 setters at RG because hardly anyone can take a set off of him. I don't think he will lose more than a set or two all the way to the SF or F. It's going to take some really good tennis to beat him on clay this year.

Auscon

05-06-2005, 04:54 AM

Right, it was AWESOME display by Rafa today. Dunno if he can last 7 5setters at RG but that was simply awesome today. Very hard to stop him when he's on.

I dont know if there are any players who could survive 7 5 setters on the dirt :)

especially with a very physically demanding game the likes of Nadals

WyveN

05-06-2005, 05:07 AM

I dont know if there are any players who could survive 7 5 setters on the dirt :)

especially with a very physically demanding game the likes of Nadals

Muster could, I read he went for jogs after some of his 5 set matches.

NATAS81

05-06-2005, 06:51 AM

Closest Federer, Coria.

Realistically, Federer in 3,5

Action Jackson

05-06-2005, 09:31 AM

This thread should be interesting when Nadal loses his next match on clay.

Then it'll be, oh! Nadal is overrated again and he is finished as a force.

Devotee

05-06-2005, 03:19 PM

Updated: May 5, 2005, 12:20 PM ET

Becker: Federer needs patience

Reuters

LONDON -- Boris Becker knows a thing or two about winning grand slams as a teenager, and he is convinced Spain's Rafael Nadal is the player to beat at the French Open.

Top-ranked Roger Federer will seek to complete his grand slam collection in Paris, but the Swiss has a relatively poor record on the slow clay of Roland Garros and 18-year-old Nadal is on fire.

"At the moment Nadal is a big favorite," Becker told Reuters.

"Yes, you have [Argentine Gaston] Gaudio, the defending champion, you have [Argentine Guillermo] Coria, you have [Spain's Juan Carlos] Ferrero and you have Federer.

"Federer on clay is also a big threat so you shouldn't overlook him. But the top player right now is Rafael Nadal."

Twenty years ago Becker took tennis by storm when he won the Queen's Club tournament and the first of three Wimbledon titles at the age of 17.

The now-retired former world No. 1 sees more than a hint of "Boom-Boom Boris" in Nadal, the Mallorcan who has won four tournaments this year including back-to-back clay titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona to break into the top 10 for the first time.

"He is better on clay than I was," laughed Becker, who never won a claycourt tournament despite accumulating 49 titles during his career.

"He is the up-and-coming new star of the tennis world, and it is wonderful to see such a young kid with so much firepower and so much will to win. In a way he reminds me little bit of a young teenager in Germany 20 years ago or more.

"I am often in Spain, in Mallorca. I saw him playing four or five years ago, and he had the same attitude and the same energy that he brings to his tennis right now."

One of Nadal's biggest advantages, Becker said, was that he possessed the fearlessness of youth.

"It helps to be younger and just be very much in the zone, in the moment, just thinking about the next tennis balls," said Becker.

"But more importantly, I think that is his attitude, his personality anyway. You cannot really switch in and out of it. He doesn't have any fear.

"He goes out and plays in front of his home crowd and wins tournaments -- that's something that will follow him through his whole career."

Becker said Federer must acquire patience in order to better his quarterfinal appearance at Roland Garros in 2001.

Otherwise the Swiss risks joining a clutch of greats like Becker, Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg who won all the other grand slams but failed to master the exacting Paris clay.

"I guess we all have our Achilles' heel. Mine was the French Open, and Federer certainly hasn't won the French Open yet, though I think he has the talent. I will be very surprised once he finishes his career to read that he hasn't won the French Open.

"He's got a great ground-stroke game, he's got good legs, so I don't see any reason why he shouldn't win the French Open.

"[He needs] patience. Claycourt tennis is more about not making many mistakes but Federer has the game."